Method and device for navigating in a user interface and apparatus comprising such navigation

ABSTRACT

A method is provided for navigating in a display screen by way of a control surface including a step of measuring: —a data item, termed position, relating to a position targeted, on the control surface, by a remote control object positioned opposite the control surface, and —a data item, termed vertical distance, relating to the distance between the at least one remote control object and the control surface; and a drive step, carrying out, as a function of the vertical distance measured: —a displacement, and/or —an adjustment of a parameter relating to a displacement; of at least one part of a zone and/or of a symbol displayed on the display screen and chosen as a function of the target position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/222,838, filed Dec. 17, 2018, and published on Apr. 25, 2019 as U.S.Publication No. 2019-0121470, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/767,238, filed Aug. 11, 2015, and issued on Dec.18, 2018 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,156,941, which is a National Phase patentapplication under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No.PCT/EP2014/052533, filed Feb. 10, 2014, which claims benefit of FrenchApplication No. F-1351275, filed Feb. 14, 2013, the entire disclosuresof which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for navigating, via a commandsurface, in a display screen and in particular a display screendisplaying at least one zone or one symbol. It also relates to a deviceand an apparatus comprising such navigation.

The field of the invention is more particularly, but non-limitatively,that of contactless human-machine interfaces

BACKGROUND

Touch interfaces, or touch screens, are now widely used for controllingapparatuses as varied as computers, mobile phones, tablets, etc.

Generally, a touch interface comprises a display screen combined with orincorporating a sensor or sensors which make it possible to determine apoint or points of contact between the surface of the screen and one ormore command objects such as one or more fingers or a stylus. It alsocomprises a software element making it possible to interpret the user'scommands.

Capacitive measurement technologies are suitable for producing this typeof interface.

Novel touch interfaces, known as 3D interfaces, incorporate a detectionof objects at a distance before they touch the surface of the screen.These touch interfaces also make it possible to activate a command or afunction previously associated with a symbol targeted by the commandobject, when the distance between the command object and the commandsurface reaches a predetermined value. Such an interface is described inthe French patent application filed by the Applicant and published underthe number FR 2 971 066 A1.

With this interface, it is thus possible to select, at a distance fromthe command surface, functions associated beforehand with a pair(displayed symbol; distance between the command object and the commandsurface). This interface therefore provides a useful possibility forselecting a command through a command surface, which is added to thepossibility of selection by contact with a commonly used commandsurface.

A purpose of the present invention is to propose additionalfunctionalities for navigating in a display screen proposing a bettercontrol of a user interface.

Another purpose of the present invention is to propose a method fornavigating on a display screen making the selection of a command on adisplay screen easier and faster.

Another purpose of the present invention is to propose a method fornavigating on a display screen making the navigation and the selectionon a display screen more ergonomic for a user.

SUMMARY

At least one of these objectives is achieved with a method fornavigating in a display screen via a command surface, comprising a stepof measuring:

-   -   an item of data, known as position data, relating to a position,        on said command surface, targeted by a remote command object        positioned facing said command surface, and    -   an item of data, known as vertical distance data, relating to        the distance between the at least one remote command object and        said command surface, in particular in a plane perpendicular to        said command surface;

characterized in that it also comprises a step, known as the controlstep, carrying out, as a function of said measured vertical distance:

-   -   a movement, and/or    -   an adjustment of a parameter relating to a movement;        of at least a part of a zone and/or of a symbol displayed on        said display screen and chosen as a function of said targeted        position.

Thus the method according to the invention makes it possible to use thedistance between a command object and the command surface either tomanipulate a zone and/or a symbol displayed on the screen or to adjust aparameter relating to such a manipulation, but without the commandobject thereby touching the command surface or the user making anyselection.

Such a utilization, according to the invention, of the distance betweena command object and the command surface makes it possible to make thenavigation more direct and more rapid, simpler and more ergonomiccompared with the current interfaces.

For example, in order to reposition an icon on a display screen with thecurrent interfaces, it is necessary first of all to activate a movementfunction beforehand, in particular, with the interface used by theiPhone®, by prolonged contact with a command surface. According toanother example, in order to magnify an icon (which amounts to movingonly a part of the icon or moving a display zone containing the icon)with the current interfaces, it is necessary to use two command objects,which are generally two fingers, and to move them laterally with respectto each other. The present invention makes it possible to dispense witha prior step of activating a function or a use of two command objects,which makes the navigation more direct, more rapid, simpler and moreergonomic for the user.

Moreover, no interface known in the prior art makes it possible toadjust a movement parameter of an object as a function of the distancebetween a command object and a command surface. Thus, the inventionbrings a novel functionality to the current interfaces.

According to the invention, each symbol can be a symbol associatedwith/dedicated to a command.

Each symbol can comprise one or more other symbols, and in particularcan be a set of symbols, such as a folder of symbols.

To avoid overcomplicating the description, in the rest of theapplication the expression “element” denotes “a zone and/or a symbol”.

In a particular and in no way limitative version of the invention, by“movement” is meant a movement of the element displayed on the displayscreen, without such movement adding a new dimension to be displayed forsaid element.

Still in a particular and in no way limitative version, the movementand/or the adjustment carried out by the control step takes into accounta unique pointing position of the command object and involves an elementchosen with respect to this unique pointing position.

According to the invention, a movement of an element can involve onlyone part of the element, such that said movement consists of modifyingthe displayed size of said element on the display screen. In otherwords, in this case, the movement is a zoom of the element.

In particular, the modification of the size or the zoom of the elementcan be carried out such that the size of the element increases when thevertical distance decreases.

The modification of the size of the element can be carried out such thata part of the element is no longer displayed on the screen.

In a first embodiment, the control step can also comprise modifying thesize of at least one element, other than the chosen element, displayedon the display screen, such that the total size of the set of theelements remains constant.

Such a modification can optionally be accompanied by a repositioning ofat least one element other than the chosen element.

The modification of the size of at least one other element can be anincrease in its size or a decrease in its size. In a particularembodiment example, the elements next to the chosen element can undergoa size modification in the same sense and the rest of the elements canundergo a size modification in the opposite sense with respect to thesense in which the modification carried out on the chosen element.

In particular, the control step can comprise a modification of the sizeof all the other elements displayed on the display screen, optionallyaccompanied by a repositioning of at least one of them, such that allthe elements remain displayed on the display screen.

Moreover, the control step can comprise a modification of the size of aset comprising the chosen element and at least one other element, suchthat the size of said at least one other element remains constant duringthe modification of the size of the chosen element.

Such a modification can optionally be accompanied by a repositioning ofat least one element other than the chosen element.

The modification of the size of the set can be an increase of its sizeor a decrease of its size, and in particular corresponds to amodification in the same sense as the sense in which the modification iscarried out on the size of the chosen element.

The set can be the one comprising all the elements represented on thedisplay screen. In this case, as a function of the measured verticaldistance, some of the elements initially displayed on the display screencan disappear from or reappear on the display screen during themodification of the size of the chosen element, which implies arepositioning of these elements.

Advantageously, when an element the size of which is modified comprisesat least one zone, known as a sub-zone, and/or at least one symbol,known as a sub-symbol, the control step can also comprise a modificationof the size of said at least one sub-zone and/or sub-symbol.

In this case, the modification of the size of the at least one sub-zoneand/or sub-symbol is carried out in the same sense as the modificationof the size of the element which comprises it.

According to the invention, the movement can involve all the points ofthe chosen at least one zone and/or symbol such that the set of the atleast one zone and/or symbol is moved laterally on the display screen ina predetermined direction.

In particular, the repositioning can be carried out such that the zoneor the symbol moves away from the position targeted by the commandobject when the vertical distance decreases.

Thus, it is possible to have a sensitivity for the movement of an objecton the display screen that is variable as a function of the distancebetween the command object and the command surface.

For example, an amount/speed/acceleration of rotation or repositioningof a symbol can be adjusted as a function of the distance between thecommand object and the command surface. Such a symbol can,non-limitatively, be a linear or rotary cursor for selecting the valueof a parameter such as volume, display contrast, date, time, etc.

According to the invention, the parameter relating to the movementadjusted as a function of the vertical distance can comprise at leastone of the following parameters:

-   -   an amount of lateral movement or rotation, on the display        screen, of/in the at least one zone and/or symbol, for a given        distance of lateral movement or rotation of the command object        in a plane parallel to the command surface; and    -   a speed of lateral movement or rotation, on the display screen,        of/in the at least one zone and/or symbol, for a given speed of        lateral movement or speed of rotation of the command object in a        plane parallel to the command surface; and/or    -   an acceleration of lateral movement or rotation, on the display        screen, of/in the at least one zone and/or symbol, for a given        acceleration of lateral movement or acceleration of rotation of        the command object in a plane parallel to the command surface.

In other words, for two different vertical distances, theamount/speed/acceleration of lateral movement or rotation of/in thechosen element can be different for one and the same increment size oflateral movement or rotation of the command object.

In particular, the adjustment can be carried out such that, for one andthe same distance of lateral movement (or one and the same rotation) ofthe command object, the amount/speed/acceleration of lateral movement(or rotation) increases when the vertical distance decreases.

The lateral movement or rotation, the amount/speed/acceleration of whichis adjusted as a function of the vertical distance, can be a movement ora rotation in the same sense as or in the opposite sense to the lateralmovement of the command object.

Advantageously, the adjustment, as a function of the measured verticaldistance, of the parameter relating to the movement on the displayscreen can be carried out via a multiplier factor, also called a “leverarm”, which is adjusted as a function of the measured vertical distance.The use of this multiplier factor can be such that the value of theparameter relating to the movement on the display screen is obtained bymultiplying the measured value of the parameter for the command objectby the adjusted value of the multiplier factor as a function of themeasured vertical distance, namely:

(Value of parameter of movement on the screen)=(measured Value ofparameter for the command object)×(Value of multiplierfactor)_(adjusted as a function of the vertical distance)

In the case of a particular embodiment example, the chosen symbol can bea list comprising at least two symbols, and the adjusted parametercomprises the speed and/or the acceleration and/or a lateral distance ofscrolling/unrolling of said list.

In particular, the adjustment can be carried out such that the value ofthe adjusted parameter increases when the vertical distance decreases.

According to an advantageous feature of the method according to theinvention, the control step can be initiated when the vertical distanceis less than or equal to a predetermined value, known as the startvalue.

The method according to the invention can also comprise activation ofthe display produced by the display screen when the vertical distancereaches the start value or a predetermined value, known as the displayvalue, greater than said start value. In this case, one or morerepetitions of the measurement and control steps can be carried out on adisplayed element following said activation.

The control step can be frozen/stopped when the vertical distance isless than or equal to a predetermined value, known as the freeze value.Thus, the display is frozen to allow an easier selection for the user.

The method according to the invention can also comprise a step ofselecting an element by bringing the command object into contact withthe command surface, said selection initiating the execution of acommand associated with said element.

Alternatively, the selection can be carried out when the verticaldistance is less than or equal to a predetermined value, known as theselection value, which can be equal to the stop value or less than thestop value.

A selection step can be carried out after a control step, or one or morerepetitions of the measurement and control steps. In this case theselection is carried out on a previously moved element or an element forwhich a movement parameter was adjusted during the control step.

A selection step can alternatively or additionally be carried out beforea control step. In this case, one or more repetitions of the measurementand control steps can be carried out on a displayed element followingsaid selection.

The method according to the invention can advantageously comprise acontinuous repetition of the measurement and control steps.

In other words, the measurement and control steps are carried outcontinuously at a given frequency, for example greater than or equal tothe display frequency of the display screen.

Alternatively, the measurement step can be repeated continuously at agiven frequency, for example greater than or equal to the displayfrequency, and the control step can be repeated discretely, i.e. whenthe variation of the vertical distance measured during the measurementstep is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. Such discreterepetition of the control step makes it possible to reduce thecomputation resources and the energy consumed.

The measurement of at least one item of distance data, and/or of atleast one item of position data, can comprise at least:

-   -   one measurement of capacitive interactions between the command        object and at least one sensor, and    -   one measurement of variations of light intensity due to the        presence of the command object.

According to another aspect of the invention a device is proposed fornavigating, via a command surface, in a display screen, comprising atleast one measurement means arranged to determine:

-   -   an item of data, known as position data, relating to a position,        on said command surface, targeted by a remote command object        positioned facing said command surface, and    -   an item of data, known as vertical distance data, relating to        the distance between the at least one remote command object and        said command surface, in particular in a plane perpendicular to        said command surface;        said device also comprising at least one means, known as the        control means, configured to adjust, as a function of said item        of distance data,    -   a movement, and/or    -   an adjustment of a parameter relating to the movement;        of at least a part of a zone and/or of a symbol displayed on        said display screen and chosen as a function of said targeted        position.

The control means can be an electronic or computer calculation module,constituted by an algorithm or a computer program or also a series ofinstructions, and executed by a processor, an FPGA or more generally byan integrated circuit.

The measurement means can comprise at least one capacitive sensor,and/or at least one optical sensor.

Advantageously, the measurement means can comprise a set of capacitivesensors combined with at least one optical sensor, of the camera type.Such a combination makes it possible to better detect and measure theposition of the command object because the optical sensor isparticularly effective when the command object is far away from thecommand surface, i.e. at a distance greater than 3 to 10 cm depending onthe size of the command object, and the capacitive sensors areparticularly effective when the command object is close to the commandsurface, i.e. at a distance of less than 3 to 10 cm depending on thesize of the command object. Thus, a combination of these two types ofsensors makes it possible to better manage the detection and themeasurement of the distance between the command object and the commandsurface whatever the vertical distance.

The device according to the invention can also comprise a commandsurface.

Such a command surface can be transparent.

Such a touch surface can be incorporated in or arranged under/on/in adisplay screen, known as a touch screen.

According to a particular embodiment example, such a touch surface canbe a touchpad or a graphics tablet.

According to yet another aspect of the invention an apparatus isproposed which comprises a display screen for displaying a plurality ofsymbols, and:

-   -   a device according to the invention, or    -   means arranged to carry out all the steps of the method        according to the invention; for navigating in said display        screen.

According to a preferred embodiment, the display screen can be arrangedunder a transparent command surface comprising/incorporating at leastone measurement means.

Such an apparatus can be a display screen, in particular a touch screendisplay, a computer, a telephone, a smartphone, a tablet, a terminal, orany other apparatus comprising means for interacting with a user using apointing or command or also selection object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages and characteristics will become apparent on examinationof the detailed description of examples that are in no way limitativeand the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an example of the deviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an example of the methodaccording to the invention; and

FIGS. 3-6 are diagrammatic representations of four non-limitativeexamples of navigation in a display screen according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is well understood that the embodiments that will be describedhereinafter are in no way limitative. Variants of the invention can inparticular be envisaged comprising only a selection of the featuresdescribed below in isolation from the other described features, if thisselection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage orto differentiate the invention with respect to the prior art. Thisselection comprises at least one preferably functional feature withoutstructural details, or with only a part of the structural details ifthis part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or todifferentiate the invention with respect to the prior art.

In particular, all the described variants and embodiments can becombined if there is no objection to this combination from a technicalpoint of view.

In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the samereferences.

An embodiment of the invention will be described which utilizescapacitive sensors. Of course, this embodiment is an example, in no waylimitative, for implementing the invention suitable for producing ahuman-machine interface (HMI) for a host system such as a mobile phone,a smartphone, a tablet or a computer.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an example of the deviceaccording to the invention for navigating in a display screen.

The device 100 represented in FIG. 1 makes it possible to navigate in adisplay screen 102 with a command object 104.

The display screen 102 can be based, for example, on liquid crystaltechnology, LCD, TFT (thin-film transistor), or OLED (organiclight-emitting diode).

The command object 104, in the example represented in FIG. 1 , is afinger of a user. The command object can alternatively be a hand of auser or a stylus.

The device 100 comprises a command surface 106 that is substantiallytransparent and flat. The command surface 106 is arranged on the displayscreen 102 and allows visual access to the display screen 102 by beingtransparent. In the example represented in FIG. 1 , the display surfaceis a surface that is independent of the display screen 102.Alternatively, the command surface 106 can be the display screen 102 ora surface of the display screen 102.

The device 100 also comprises capacitive sensors 108, likewisesubstantially transparent and capable of detecting the presence of thecommand object 104. The capacitive sensors 108 are arranged on thecommand surface 106 in the example represented in FIG. 1 .Alternatively, the capacitive sensors can be incorporated in the commandsurface 106 or directly in the display screen 102.

The sensors 108 can comprise capacitive electrodes based on ITO (indiumtin oxide). Depending on the applications, they can vary in terms ofnumber and arrangement, FIG. 1 being merely for the purposes ofillustration.

The capacitive sensors 108 provide on the one hand items of informationrelating to the distance along the Z-axis between the command object 104and the command surface 106, indicated by the dotted line 110, and onthe other hand items of information relating to the position in theplane (X, Y) of a projection along the Z-axis of the command object 104onto the command surface 106, indicated by the dot 112. The capacitivesensors 108 are also capable of detecting a contact between the commandobject 104 and the command surface 106.

The device 100 also comprises an electronic measurement module 114,connected to the capacitive sensors 108, which makes it possible todetermine the distance 110 and the position 112 as a function of thesignals provided by the capacitive sensors 108. The items of datarelating to the distance 110 and to the position 112 comprise equivalentdistance 110 and position 112 measurements. These measurements, notnecessarily expressed in units of length, are translations ofmeasurements of capacitances or variations of capacitances. Inparticular, physical characteristics of the command object 104 canaffect the measured capacitances and therefore their translation interms of equivalent distance and/or positions.

The items of data relating to the distance 110 and to the position 112can also comprise trajectories, defined as time sequences of distances110 and/or positions 112, and derived values such as speeds andaccelerations.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensors 108 and the electronicmeasurement module 114 are produced according to the methods describedin the document FR 2 971 066 A1.

The device 100 according to the invention can also comprise a controlmodule 116, present for example in the form of a microprocessor or CPU(for “Central Processing Unit”) associated with components such asrandom-access memories (RAM), mass storage means (hard disk, flashmemory, etc.), and making it possible to execute one (or a plurality of)computer or software program(s). This control module 116 is connected tothe measurement module 114. The control module 116 is configured:

-   -   as a function of the position 112: to choose a zone or a symbol        targeted by the command object 104 on the display screen;    -   as a function of the distance 110: to move the chosen zone or        symbol or to adjust a parameter relating to the movement of the        chosen zone or symbol; and optionally    -   to move at least one other element displayed by the display        screen, in particular the rest of the elements displayed on the        display screen.

The control module 116 can be incorporated in a processor of anapparatus producing, among other things, a display on the display screen102, i.e. a processor generating the image or the images to bedisplayed. Such an apparatus can be a computer, a tablet, a smartphone,a telephone, a PDA, etc.

The control module 116 can alternatively be present in the form of aprocessor in its own right working with the processor of such anapparatus.

The device 100 with the display screen 102 constitutes a non-limitativeexample of an apparatus 118 according to the invention which can be atablet or a smartphone with touch command.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an example of a methodaccording to the invention for navigating in a display screen.

The method 200 comprises a step 202 of measuring the vertical distancebetween the command surface and the command object, for example thedistance 110, and optionally the position targeted by the commandobject, for example the position 112.

During a step 204, the measured distance 110 is compared withpredetermined threshold values.

Steps 202 and 204 are carried out either continuously at a predeterminedfrequency or at a frequency modulated as a function of the measureddistance.

During step 204, the following comparisons are carried out.

The measured distance 110 is compared with a value, known as the turn-onvalue, to decide whether or not to turn on the display screen. As afunction of this comparison, if required, a step 206 carries out theturning on or turning off of the display screen.

The measured distance 110 is compared with a value, known as the displayvalue, to decide whether or not to display at least one symbol on thedisplay screen. As a function of this comparison, if required, a step208 does or does not produce the display of at least one element on thedisplay screen.

The measured distance 110 is compared with a value, known as the freezevalue, to decide if the produced display has to be frozen or locked witha view for example to carrying out a selection of whether or not todisplay at least one symbol on the display screen. As a function of thiscomparison, if required, a step 210 freezes, or does not freeze, thedisplay produced on the display screen as it is.

The measured distance 110 is compared with a value, known as theselection value, to decide if the command object carries out, or doesnot carry out, a selection of a command associated with a symbol. As afunction of this comparison, if required, a step 212 activates thecarrying out of the selected command. The selection value can be a zerovalue. In this case, the selection is carried out by bringing thecommand object into contact with the command surface.

Finally, the measured distance 110 is tested to determine if it iscomprised between a value, known as the start value, and the stop valuein order to determine if a control step has to be carried out. If themeasured distance is comprised between these two values, then a controlstep 212 is carried out in order to move an element displayed on thedisplay screen or to adjust a parameter relating to the movement of anelement displayed on the screen, such an element being chosen as afunction of the position targeted by the command object.

When, during step 204, several abovementioned criteria are satisfied,i.e. when the measured distance satisfies several of the abovementionedthreshold values, then several of the steps 206-214 can be carried outin turn or at the same time.

Non-limitative examples will now be described of movement or adjustmentof a parameter relating to the movement of a displayed element as afunction of the vertical distance according to the invention. In thefollowing examples, it is understood, to simplify the description, thatthe command surface corresponds to the surface of the display screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a first example of movementof an element displayed on the display screen as a function of thevertical distance according to the invention.

The example represented in FIG. 3 corresponds more particularly to themodification of the size of a symbol displayed on the display screen,for example the display screen 102 of FIG. 1 , as a function of thevertical distance 110.

The display screen displays four symbols 302 ₁-302 ₄. Each symbol 302 ₁comprises one or more symbols, known as sub-symbols.

As a function of the position 110 of the command object 104, the symbol3021 or a zone around the position 110 is chosen.

When the command object 104 moves closer to the display screen, the sizeof the symbol 302 ₁ or the zone around the position 110 is magnified orzoomed, as represented in cases 304 and 306, which correspond to twoways of carrying out such a magnification.

In case 304, when the symbol 302 ₁ or the zone around the position 110is magnified, the size of the other displayed symbols or zones isdecreased such that all the symbols 302 remain displayed in the displayscreen.

In case 306, when the symbol 302 ₁ or the zone around the position 110is magnified, the size of the other displayed symbols or zones is keptconstant such that the symbol 302 ₂ is partially displayed on thedisplay screen and the symbol 302 ₃ is no longer displayed in thedisplay screen.

In the two cases 304 and 306, during the magnification of the symbol 302₁, one of the other displayed symbols or zones can be repositionedentirely.

Moreover, in the example represented in FIG. 3 , when the symbol 302 ₁is magnified then the sub-symbols that the symbol 302 ₁ contains arealso magnified. This processing is optional and it is possible for thesub-symbols not to magnified.

Of course, when the finger moves away from the display screen, the sizeof the symbol or symbols or of the zone previously magnified isdecreased in a bijective manner and the other displayed elements aremagnified and repositioned likewise in a bijective manner.

When the command object changes position in the plane of the displayscreen, then the processing which has just been described is applied,continuously, to another symbol or to another zone relative to each newposition targeted by the command object.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a second example of movementof an element displayed on the display screen as a function of thevertical distance according to the invention.

The example represented in FIG. 4 corresponds more particularly to therepositioning of a symbol 402 displayed on the display screen, forexample the display screen 102 of FIG. 1 , as a function of the verticaldistance 110.

In the configuration 404, the position 112 of the command object 104 isused to choose the symbol 402.

When the command object 104 moves closer to the screen 102, i.e. whenthe distance 110 decreases, the symbol 402 is moved away from theinitial position 112 in a predetermined direction and sense, asrepresented in the configuration 404.

When, afterwards, the command object 104 moves away from the screen 102,i.e. when the distance 110 increases, the symbol 402 moves closer to theinitial position 112, being moved in the opposite direction and sense,as represented in the configuration 406.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a third example of movementof an element displayed on the display screen as a function of thevertical distance according to the invention.

The example represented in FIG. 5 corresponds more particularly to themanipulation of a list 502 of symbols, displayed edge of display screen,for example the display screen 102 of FIG. 1 , as a function of thevertical distance 110.

In the configuration 504, the command object 104 moves closer to thesurface of the screen 102.

As represented on the configuration 506, when the distance 110 betweenthe command object 104 and the screen 102 is less than or equal to apredetermined distance, known as the display distance, the list 502 ofsymbols is displayed on the screen 102.

When the command object 104 continues to move closer to the displayscreen 102, a part of the list 502 chosen as a function of the position112 targeted by the command object 104 is magnified, as represented inthe configuration 508. More particularly, the size of symbols next tothe position 112 targeted by the command object 104 is increased and thesize of the symbols furthest away from the position 112 is decreased.Some of the symbols of the list 502 are also repositioned so as to keepthe whole of the list displayed on the display screen. The modificationof the size of the different symbols is a function of the distance 110between the command object and the surface of the display screen 102. Inother words, the size of the different symbols of the list of symbols502 is adjusted as a function of the distance 110.

In a first variant, represented in the configuration 510, when,afterwards, the command object 104 touches the screen or the distance110 between the command object 104 and the screen 102 is less than orequal to a predetermined distance, known as the selection distance, asymbol is selected from the list 502 of symbols.

In a second variant, represented in the configuration 512, the commandobject 104 continues to move closer to the screen 102. As a function ofthe targeted position 112, and when the distance 110 exceeds apredetermined value, one of the symbols of the list 502 of symbols ischosen, namely the symbol “C”. The chosen symbol can be indicated by achange in colour or by any other means. The choice of a symbol from thelist 502 of the symbols activates the display of another list 502 ₂corresponding to the content of the symbol, such as for example a listof names starting with the letter C. This other list 502 ₂ can bedisplayed at another edge of the display screen 102, for example theopposite edge. The choice of a symbol results in the display produced onthe screen 102 being frozen.

The configuration 512 is then followed by a configuration 514representing the selection of the previously chosen symbol, as describedabove with reference to the configuration 510.

After the selection of a symbol, for example by bringing the commandobject 104 into contact with the screen 102, the user has thepossibility of navigating in the second list 502 ₂, as represented inthe configuration 516.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a fourth example of movementof an element displayed on the display screen as a function of thevertical distance according to the invention.

The example represented in FIG. 6 corresponds more particularly to themanipulation of a list 602 of symbols, displayed on an edge of a displayscreen, for example the display screen 102 of FIG. 1 , as a function ofthe vertical distance 110. As represented in the configuration 604, thelist 602 comprises a large number of small symbols which are difficultto select with the command object 104.

When the command object 104 moves closer to the screen, i.e. thedistance 110 decreases, the list 602 is zoomed around the position 112of the command object 104 such that only a part of the list is displayedon the screen 102. The result obtained is shown in the configuration606. The zoom carried out is a function of the distance 110 between thecommand object 104 and the surface of the screen 102.

When the command object 104 is moved in a first sense indicated by thearrow F1 represented in the configuration 608, the list always scrollsin the same sense as the command object 104, while still remainingzoomed.

When the command object 104 is moved in an opposite sense indicated bythe arrow F2 represented in the configuration 610, the list scrolls inthe same sense as the command object 104, while still remaining zoomed.

The amount and/or speed of scrolling of the list 602 on the displayscreen, for a distance of lateral movement of the command object, isadjusted as a function of the distance 110 between the command object104 and the screen 102. More precisely, the smaller the distance 110,the higher the speed/amount of scrolling of the list 602 on the displayscreen, and vice versa.

In another embodiment, which is not represented, the invention makes itpossible to adjust the amount/speed of scrolling of a list of symbols orthe rotation of a symbol or also the repositioning of a symbol butwithout the size of the symbol or of the list being modified as afunction of the distance between a command object and the commandsurface. In this case, the distance between the command object and thecommand surface is used to adjust the amount/speed concerned and thelist or the symbol is manipulated by the lateral movement of the commandobject in the plane of the command surface.

For example, according to the invention, it is possible to adjust theamount of scrolling on the screen of a list of symbols as a function ofthe distance between the command object or the command surface, butwithout thereby modifying the size of this element. In this case,several movement amounts chosen/adjusted as a function of the distancebetween the command object and the command surface correspond to a givenincrement size of movement of the command object in the plane of thecommand surface.

This example can be applied to a speed of rotation or to a repositioningspeed of a symbol, which can for example be a linear or rotary cursor.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have justbeen described and numerous adjustments can be made to these exampleswithout exceeding the scope of the invention.

1. (canceled)
 2. A method comprising: displaying a first user interfaceincluding a first user interface element and a second user interfaceelement that is different from the first user interface element; whiledisplaying the first user interface, detecting a first input thatincludes movement of a hovering object toward a portion of the firstuser interface; in response to detecting the first input, changing asize of a plurality of user interface elements based on an amount ofmovement of the hovering object toward the portion of the first userinterface during the first input, including: increasing a size of thefirst user interface element by a first amount, wherein the first amountis a function of at least a distance of the hovering object from theportion of the first user interface; and increasing a size of the seconduser interface element by a second amount different than the firstamount, wherein the second amount is a function of at least the distanceof the hovering object from the portion of the first user interface;after detecting the first input, detecting a second input that includesfurther movement of the hovering object toward the portion of the firstuser interface; and in response to detecting the second input, changingthe size of the plurality of user interface elements based on an amountof movement of the hovering object toward the portion of the first userinterface during the second input, including: increasing the size of thefirst user interface element by a third amount, wherein the third amountis a function of at least the distance of the hovering object from theportion of the first user interface; and increasing the size of thesecond user interface element by a fourth amount, wherein the fourthamount is a function of at least the distance of the hovering objectfrom the portion of the first user interface.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the first user interface element and the second user interfaceelement are independently selectable to perform different commands. 4.The method of claim 2, wherein the first user interface further includesa third user interface element and a fourth user interface element thatis different from the third user interface element; and wherein changingthe size of the plurality of user interface elements further includes:decreasing a size of the third user interface element by a fifth amount;and decreasing a size of the fourth user interface element by a sixthamount different than the fifth amount, wherein the fifth amount is afunction of a distance of the third user interface element from theportion of the first user interface and the sixth amount is a functionof a distance of the fourth user interface element from the portion ofthe first user interface.
 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:displaying the first user interface in response to detecting thehovering object within a threshold distance from the portion of thefirst user interface.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:repositioning the plurality of user interface elements in accordancewith changing the size of the plurality of user interface elements tokeep the first user interface displayed in the first user interface. 7.The method of claim 6, further comprising: stopping changing the size ofthe plurality of user interface elements and repositioning the pluralityof user interface elements in response to detecting the hovering objectwithin a threshold distance from the portion of the first userinterface.
 8. The method of claim 2, further comprising: detecting athird input that includes the hovering object over the portion of thefirst user interface within a first selection threshold distance fromthe portion of the first user interface; and in response to detectingthe third input: selecting a user interface element corresponding to theportion of the first user interface; and displaying a second userinterface corresponding to the first user interface element.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the first user interface element correspondsto a character and the second user interface includes a plurality ofwords beginning with the character.
 10. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: detecting a fourth input that includes movement of thehovering object over the portion of the first user interface to aportion of the second user interface; and in response to detecting thefourth input: maintaining display of the first user interface and thesecond user interface.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:detecting a fifth input that includes the hovering object over theportion of the second user interface within a second selection thresholddistance from the portion of the second user interface; and in responseto detecting the fifth input: selecting a user interface elementcorresponding to the portion of the second user interface, the selectioninitiating execution of a command associated with the selected userinterface element in the second user interface.
 12. An electronicdevice, comprising: one or more processors; memory, wherein the one ormore processors are configured to execute instructions stored in thememory, and wherein the instructions, when executed, are configured tocause the electronic device to perform operations comprising: displayinga first user interface including a first user interface element and asecond user interface element that is different from the first userinterface element; while displaying the first user interface, detectinga first input that includes movement of a hovering object toward aportion of the first user interface; in response to detecting the firstinput, changing a size of a plurality of user interface elements basedon an amount of movement of the hovering object toward the portion ofthe first user interface during the first input, including: increasing asize of the first user interface element by a first amount, wherein thefirst amount is a function of at least a distance of the hovering objectfrom the portion of the first user interface; and increasing a size ofthe second user interface element by a second amount different than thefirst amount, wherein the second amount is a function of at least thedistance of the hovering object from the portion of the first userinterface; after detecting the first input, detecting a second inputthat includes further movement of the hovering object toward the portionof the first user interface; and in response to detecting the secondinput, changing the size of the plurality of user interface elementsbased on an amount of movement of the hovering object toward the portionof the first user interface during the second input, including:increasing the size of the first user interface element by a thirdamount, wherein the third amount is a function of at least the distanceof the hovering object from the portion of the first user interface; andincreasing the size of the second user interface element by a fourthamount, wherein the fourth amount is a function of at least the distanceof the hovering object from the portion of the first user interface. 13.A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions,which when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device,cause the electronic device to perform operations comprising: displayinga first user interface including a first user interface element and asecond user interface element that is different from the first userinterface element; while displaying the first user interface, detectinga first input that includes movement of a hovering object toward aportion of the first user interface; in response to detecting the firstinput, changing a size of a plurality of user interface elements basedon an amount of movement of the hovering object toward the portion ofthe first user interface during the first input, including: increasing asize of the first user interface element by a first amount, wherein thefirst amount is a function of at least a distance of the hovering objectfrom the portion of the first user interface; and increasing a size ofthe second user interface element by a second amount different than thefirst amount, wherein the second amount is a function of at least thedistance of the hovering object from the portion of the first userinterface; after detecting the first input, detecting a second inputthat includes further movement of the hovering object toward the portionof the first user interface; and in response to detecting the secondinput, changing the size of the plurality of user interface elementsbased on an amount of movement of the hovering object toward the portionof the first user interface during the second input, including:increasing the size of the first user interface element by a thirdamount, wherein the third amount is a function of at least the distanceof the hovering object from the portion of the first user interface; andincreasing the size of the second user interface element by a fourthamount, wherein the fourth amount is a function of at least the distanceof the hovering object from the portion of the first user interface.